Parents to run primary school

Parents will run their own primary school in the first move of its kind in England.

By Graeme Paton, Education Editor

12:54AM BST 12 Jun 2008

Mothers and fathers from Bolnore Village in West Sussex successfully bid to set up and manage the school amid fears many children faced lengthy commutes to primaries miles away.

The local council decided last year that a new school was needed to serve the village, which was built less than 10 years ago on land near Haywards Heath.

A group of local parents was among serval organisations which bid to run the school. It followed recent Government legislation which demands the running of all new schools should be put out to tender.

Ministers hailed the move, announced Wednesday night, saying it proved there was "increasing choice and diversity" in the state education system.

It comes despite widespread anger over moves to close hundreds of other rural primary schools across England because of falling pupils numbers.

The new school - for boys and girls aged four to 11 - will be opened in September 2009. It will initially open in temporary buildings with just one year group and will expand year-on-year to eventually cater 210 pupils.

The school will be independent of West Sussex council, giving parents the freedom to appoint staff and control their own admissions, within rules laid down by the Government. The Bolnore School Group said it would be advertising for a head teacher later this year.

It follows the opening of the first secondary school run by parents in Lambeth, South London, last September.

Jim Knight, schools minister, said: "We want new and distinctive groups to get involved in education where this has the support of the local community and will help to raise standards.

"This could include other schools, local colleges and universities and other institutions with a presence in the area, perhaps in a shared trust. And we particularly welcome the involvement of parents and local residents themselves who know the needs of the children and the area."